Wishes Nighttime Spectacular

The power of a wish combines with magical moments from cherished Disney films and dazzling pyrotechnic effects to create "Wishes," the biggest, boldest fireworks show ever presented for Magic Kingdom guests at Walt Disney World Resort.

Narrated by Jiminy Cricket, who memorably served as Pinocchio's conscience in Disney's animated masterpiece, the new story-in-the-sky spectacular tells a thrilling, heart-tugging story about making a wish come true.

"I bet a lot of you folks don't believe that -- about a wish coming true, do ya?" Jiminy says as the 12-minute spectacle begins. "Well, I didn't either. Of course, I'm just a cricket, but let me tell ya what changed my mind. Ya see, the most fantastic, magical things can happen -- and it all starts with a wish!"

At several times the size of "Fantasy in the Sky," Magic Kingdom's previous fireworks show, "Wishes" takes guests through treasured tales of adventure and romance from classic Disney films, accompanied by brilliant bursts of color and light above -- and around -- Cinderella Castle. Guests will discover excellent viewing locations all throughout the theme park.

" 'Wishes' takes us into the heart of Disney storytelling and shows us that wishes can come true if you believe in them with all your heart," said Steven Davison of Walt Disney Creative Entertainment, who created "Wishes" and Disneyland's popular "Believe... There's Magic in the Stars" fireworks spectacular.

"The goal of the show is to move guests in a very special way, to fill them with a magic only Disney can create and, most of all, to give everyone a magical memory to treasure for a lifetime."

The story of "Wishes" blends classic Disney songs and character voices with pyrotechnic effects never seen before in a Disney theme park, including several new sites for launching fireworks that create moments both breathtaking and intimate.

The warmly emotional show was created in honor of the launch of Magical Gatherings, a celebration of the magic that occurs when friends and extended family reconnect at Walt Disney World Resort.

"What 'Wishes' is created to do is bring everyone together at night," Davison said. "They all may have different experiences during the day but at night we're asking everyone to come to the Magic Kingdom to watch what happens when family and friends all make a wish together and see what happens in the sky."

While "Wishes" replaces "Fantasy in the Sky," which premiered in the 1970s, one fondly remembered element remains -- a certain mischievous pixie who flies high above Magic Kingdom to demonstrate the power of believing in a wish.

"We'll make people cry, we'll make people laugh," Davison said. "It's a show about emotions, and really what Disney does best."

"Wishes" is presented most nights at Magic Kingdom.

Fast Facts:

The Show
Running time: Approximately 12 minutes
Fireworks firing cues: 557
Individual pieces of pyrotechnics: 683

Presented most nights, "Wishes" is several times larger than "Fantasy in the Sky," the previous fireworks show at Magic Kingdom, and roughly five minutes longer.

The Story
"Wishes" tells a richly emotional tale about making a wish come true, using classic Disney songs and character voices accompanied by meticulously choreographed fireworks.

The Cast
"Wishes" features the voices of:
Jiminy Cricket
the Blue Fairy and Pinocchio (from 1940's "Pinocchio")
Snow White and the wicked Queen (from 1937's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs")
Cinderella (from 1950's "Cinderella")
Peter Pan (from 1953's "Peter Pan")
Ariel (from 1989's "The Little Mermaid")
Aladdin and Genie (from 1992's "Aladdin")

Tinker Bell (also from "Peter Pan"), flies from atop Cinderella Castle during a key moment in the show.

The Crew
Creator/show director: Steven Davison

Davison, creative director with Walt Disney Creative Entertainment, also developed the "Believe. . .There's Magic in the Stars" fireworks spectacular at Disneyland.

Fireworks designer: Eric Tucker
An award-winning pyrotechnics designer whose credits span the globe, Tucker previously designed the fireworks for "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" at Epcot.

Music director: Steve Skorija
As music director for Walt Disney Entertainment, Skorija oversees music production for live entertainment and special events at Walt Disney World Resort.

Composer/arranger: Gregory Smith
Smith previously worked on such Walt Disney World productions as "IllumiNations 25" and "Splashtacular" at Epcot, and the "Mickey Mania" parade at Magic Kingdom.

The Music
In addition to Gregory Smith's original theme, which is based on the children's nursery rhyme "Starlight, Star Bright," the score for "Wishes" contains portions of 15 songs from 10 classic Disney animated features:

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937)
"Pinocchio" (1940)
"Fantasia" (1940)
"Cinderella" (1950)
"Peter Pan" (1953)
"Sleeping Beauty" (1959)
"The Little Mermaid" (1989)
"Beauty and the Beast" (1991)
"Aladdin" (1992)
"Hercules" (1997)

The Fireworks
"Wishes" features several new locations for launching fireworks that create brilliant bursts of light around Cinderella Castle, plus pyrotechnic effects never seen before in a Disney theme park, including several developed especially for the show:

The show's "wishing star" crests approximately 100 feet above the castle's bright spires.

The Blue Fairy is represented with a spectacular star-shaped shell that "paints" each wish high in the sky with enchanted starlight.
The Guests

"Wishes" was created in honor of the launch of Magical Gatherings, a celebration of the magic that occurs when friends and extended family reconnect at Walt Disney World Resort. The show is designed to bring guests together at night for a heart-tugging spectacle that will create lasting memories for everyone.